HEECA-ECJU Comprehensive 6-Month UK Export Controls Training Programme: 2025 Impact Summary Report Available!
In January 2025, HEECA partnered with the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) to deliver the first sector-wide collaboration of its kind: a free, six-month training programme on export controls in UK higher education.
Through a series of six workshops, participants explored the UK export control lifecycle, from the foundations of export regulations and due diligence practices to licence decision-making, audits and enforcement. The programme was oversubscribed within 24 hours, with 50 places offered to delegates from across the sector.
Strong engagement was sustained throughout the six months and those who completed the full course received a jointly branded HEECA-ECJU certificate, recognising their commitment to learning and development in this important area.
Alongside expert-led delivery, the sessions provided opportunities for peer learning, discussion and the exchange of practical approaches to managing compliance responsibilities.
We are pleased to share an Impact Summary Report, capturing key outcomes, reflections and participant feedback, as well as insights into how the programme has supported institutions in strengthening practices and embedding export control knowledge.
Further planning is already underway for a potential future iteration in 2026, subject to securing commitment from ECJU. Keep an eye out for announcements and developments in the months ahead!
Sharing Best Practice and Lessons Learned: A Collaborative UK & EU Approach to Secure Internationalisation
Delivered in collaboration with the European Export Control Association for Research Organisations (EECARO), this UK Science and Innovation Network (UK SIN)-supported project enabled an in-person 1 day workshop, facilitating the advancement of understanding research security risks (informed by multiple national agendas and institutional approaches), broader UK and EU collaboration and models to mitigate current and future research security risks.
This report captures the workshop activities and outputs, including the current perceived risks, gaps and challenges associated with secure internationalisation across the UK and EU Higher Education (HE) and Research Organisation (RO) landscape, ways to better support and inform future policy developments through enhanced international collaboration, and exploring the steps needed to enable a step change across the agenda of secure internationalisation.
Access the report here:
HEECA collaboration with Research England Development (RED) Fund
HEECA via Cranfield University and the University of Edinburgh is being funded by Research England to create an online, freely accessible Higher Education Strategic Export Control Training package.
Current Project Progress
- September – November 2022 – Beta test of proposed level 1 training package launched (invitation to members)’
- May – August 2022 – Ongoing development of beta training materials, platform and communications’ and
- March – April 2022 – Formation of any necessary Sub-Groups and development of the training material content and delivery platform.
- February 2022 – Formation of the Professional Steering Group (PSG) consisting of HE sector, industry and government subject matter experts to oversee and inform the training material content.
- January 2022 – Engagement with the HE sector to provide transparency of existing institutional Export Control materials to inform production and content of future training materials.
- December 2021 – Read the Workshop Output Summary [PDF]
- November 2021 – Export Control Workshops undertaken as part of an open and inclusive collaborative consultation exercise with the HE sector.
Project progress will be regularly updated.
If you have any questions or wish to engage in the project please contact Chris Buckland via our enquiry form.